Accountancy firm Buzzacott has strengthened its dedicated social housing team with the appointment of John Butler.
Butler has joined the firm from the National Housing Federation (NHF), where he was its finance policy lead. He brings considerable experience and expertise in all aspects of social housing finance, having worked alongside registered providers identifying potential financial issues, and optimising their operating environments.
He was the secretariat of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) Working Party, the NHF representative on the Social Housing Pension Scheme’s Employee Group, and previously a member of the Sustainability Reporting Standard’s ESG Steering Group.
Butler is also said to have strong relationships with investors, banks, regulators, credit rating agencies, politicians and government departments, helping to set policy and promote best practices in accounting, tax, treasury, corporate finance, pensions, risk management, financial regulation and compliance.
Butler said: “There is a desperate shortage of auditors in the social housing sector and Buzzacott continues to invest and build its capabilities in supporting registered providers. The firm has a terrific reputation that extends across social housing and real estate, and the charities, education and not-for-profit sectors and is working to become one of the leading auditors to registered providers.
“Its collaborative approach to the sector is valued by housing associations with a methodology designed to identify areas of risk and opportunity, providing actionable insights and a pathway to improvements. After 14 years with the National Housing Federation, I am looking forward to building and developing my career further at Buzzacott.”
Buzzacott’s social housing finance team is recognised as a NHF sector supplier, supporting housing associations with audit, accounting, financial, tax and other advice.
Hugh Swainson, partner and housing associations lead at Buzzacott, said: “We are thrilled by John’s decision to join the firm. We know John well and his experience and expertise in the financial management of registered providers is unrivalled. He will be a real asset to us and our clients, and we look forward to the contribution he will bring.”
Main image: John Butler, social housing team, Buzzacott
Read next: CHP buys land for 35 homes in Cressing
Are you a social housing professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
